Traxtrix horn

[brian]

I would like to make a traxtrix horn on my shopbot,kind of like the horns they used for grammaphones(think of the dog in the old RCA label).I remember reading about a botter who designed large statues,then sliced the model into layers.after cutting he reassembled the layers to create his statue.
my project needs a similar approach.There is a calculated curve on the inside of the horn(the out side dosen't matter),it is give in dia.and distance from the table in increments
eg. 1 inch, dia,3.500"
2 inches,dia 3.7575 inches
3 inches,dia 4.0343 inches
etc etc to 25 inches,dia 28.4056 inches
First of all is this possible with artcam 8.1
if so can anyone tell how this can be done.
The only way I can think of doing it so far is to cut a lot of incrementally larger circles,glue them together and finish turning them on a lathe.But this method would be time consuming and potentially inaccurate.If i could assemble nine three inch thick layers cut the inside to the specified diameters,then assemble with minimal finishing I would save a lot of time.
The picture below shows a smaller version of what I'd like to do

Thanks Brian
6772

[Brady Watson]

Brian,
Create a cross-section vector of the horn's shape. It should be just one 'leg' or exactly half of the cross section so that you can use the center as a pivot. Then use the spin extrusion tool to create the 3D shape. Save the resulting RLF.

Use the slicer (a seperate program in the unsupported folder) and slice the relief to your material thickness. Then start a new project and paste each slice into your workspace, and toolpath just like you would any other 3D file.

The shape that you have is tough to do on any 3-axis CNC since it will have undercuts 'any way you slice it'...It is possible to do this shape in ArtCAM, but you will have to create 2 reliefs, one with the inside taper and one of the outside taper, and machine both sides by flipping the material. You will need good part fixuring and a lot of coffee


-B

[brian]

Thanks Brady
I can get the increments down to a MM so the undercutting can be minimized.
I'm still quite green with artcam so I will probably have many more questons as I stumble throught this.
Brian